✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Bilberry evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Night vision claim DEBUNKED — possible WWII disinformation [2]
⚠ Visual fatigue and mild diabetic retinopathy: actual evidence [2]
⚠ Mirtoselect: pharmaceutical-grade, most studied [2]
⚠ Anticoagulant: mild antiplatelet effects [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
The RAF night vision story is a myth — bilberry does NOT improve night vision in healthy individuals (Cochrane-level evidence). Where it DOES help: visual fatigue (screen use) and mild diabetic retinopathy. Anthocyanins support retinal microcirculation. Bilberry has 2–4× more anthocyanins than cultivated blueberry. Mirtoselect: most studied extract [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Berry is food — safe. Extract: limited data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Berry is safe food. Extract: no data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: BID with meals [2].
💊 With food: With food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Anticoagulants without monitoring [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Standardized bilberry extract (25% anthocyanins)', 'preferred', 'Mirtoselect: most studied branded extract [2].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Dried bilberries', '', 'Culinary use. Lower concentration than extract [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Does bilberry improve night vision? ▼
The RAF/WWII story is a myth — possibly wartime disinformation to hide radar technology. A Cochrane-level review found NO evidence that bilberry improves night vision in healthy individuals [2].
Where does bilberry actually help? ▼
Visual fatigue from screen use and mild diabetic retinopathy have the most support. The anthocyanins support retinal microcirculation [2].
Bilberry vs blueberry? ▼
Bilberry (V. myrtillus) is the European wild cousin with 2–4× more anthocyanins. Cultivated blueberries (V. corymbosum) are also beneficial but less concentrated [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
Anthocyanin antioxidant and vasoprotective properties: well-established in vitro [1]. Night vision in healthy individuals: NOT supported by controlled trials (Cochrane) [2]. HIGH
Moderate
Visual fatigue (computer/VDT use): improved visual fatigue in Japanese trials [2]. Diabetic retinopathy (mild): improved retinal parameters in some European trials [2]. Microcirculation: improved capillary fragility and blood flow [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Relative
⚠ Anticoagulants/antiplatelets — possible additive effect at high doses
⚠ Diabetes — may lower glucose
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — use culinary amounts only
🚩 Red flags
● Patient buying bilberry for night vision — debunked [2]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Anticoagulants Minor
Mechanism: Anthocyanins may have mild antiplatelet effects. [1]
Effect: Theoretical bleeding risk. [1]
Action: Monitor if concerned [1].
Supplement synergies
Lutein + Zeaxanthin · 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Comprehensive eye health: bilberry (retinal microcirculation) + lutein (macular pigment) [1].
Comprehensive eye health: bilberry (retinal microcirculation) + lutein (macular pigment) [1].
7 Regulatory
Germany (Commission E): Approved for nonspecific acute diarrhea and mild mouth/throat inflammation (berries) [1].
Italy/France: Pharmaceutical-grade Mirtoselect for retinal health [2].
United States: Dietary supplement [1].
8 US supplement products
303
on-market products containing Bilberry (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying Bilberry (155)
Click a brand to see its Bilberry products.
9 Frequently paired with
10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Bilberry — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 31]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/bilberry/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Bilberry — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/bilberry/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: March 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Bilberry — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/bilberry/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG